SAS strike ends after negotiations led by Mats Ruland in Norway

Negotiations between parties representing cabin crew members at SAS reached a new agreement Tuesday morning after discussions that began Monday evening, confirming an end to the strike. This announcement was made by the national mediator Mats Ruland.

Jørn Eggum, leader of the Fellesforbundet union, expressed satisfaction with the outcome. He stated, “We are both pleased and relieved. It is never easy to find yourself in a conflict. Achieving all three of our demands marks a historic day for the cabin crew. We secured a salary offer, guaranteed weekends off, and meal breaks on the ground, similar to other employees.”

Martinus Røkkum, head of the SAS Norway cabin association within the Parat union, also expressed approval, although he believes cabin staff salaries are still too low. He acknowledged the challenging conditions from which the employer had to negotiate, stating, “Given the starting point, with cost-saving measures in play, I’m satisfied with this outcome.”

The NHO Luftfart trade organization welcomed the end of the strike. Their managing director Erik Lahnstein commented, “While I cannot disclose specific numbers, we are pleased that we reached an agreement. There will be a proper salary increase and more weekends off along with other changes that address critical employee demands.”

The strike, which began Friday morning, resulted in numerous flight cancellations for SAS, impacting the airline’s already strained finances. Lahnstein expressed hope for a quick resumption of normal operations, stating, “In the next 24 hours, most flights should return to normal.”

Espen Andersen, an associate professor at BI Norwegian Business School, remains concerned about SAS’s strategic position, given the challenges posed by the Ukraine war and increased competition. He noted that if SAS were to fail, it would be quickly replaced, as Norway is a highly attractive aviation market.